LRT expansion in Surrey

South of Fraser Mayors want for Light Rail Transit in Surrey, and the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure is listening. LRT technology is a better fit for the lower density region consisting of Surrey and Langley many believe.

TransLink is doing a comprehensive study of transit options in Surrey called the Surrey Rapid Transit Study. Phase 1 has been completed and phase 2 is underway with public meetings scheduled for early 2012.

As reported in the last Western Newsletter of Transport Action, Surrey has put together a vision of LRT on its website.

Surrey’s video on YouTube:

CBC Story – Mayors push for new transit line for Surrey and Langley  (Mobile version)

An example of a low floor light rail vehicle in Portland, OR

Arbutus Corridor Update

A lengthy article in The Vancouver Courier  discusses the history of the Arbutus Corridor (aka CP Rail’s Marpole spur) since rail service was halted in 1999. Various interest groups and the City of Vancouver have abundant ideas on what to do with this large chunk of undeveloped land on Vancouver’s west side.

http://www.vancourier.com/business/track+minds/3025683/story.html

Paying For a Vancouver Streetcar

Gordon Price argues that the City of Vancouver should be demanding significant public amenities and benefits from the proposed BC Place casino and entertainment complex. In addition to public art, pedestrian connections and ‘green’ building design, Price states the City should demand that the development fund an extension of the former Olympic line to, at least, Pacific Boulevard. This would give the City a permanent, tangible benefit from the project and connect several major tourist destinations. As the development would benefit from having customers delivered right to its door, it should, along with other business beneficiaries, pay for the line. Price uses the Portland Streetcar as a model for his proposal.  

http://tinyurl.com/25p6zv9

Broadway Rapid Transit Concerns Business

West Broadway merchants (Vancouver Courier, March 19, 2010) are concerned that rapid transit construction in their neighbourhood could lead to a repeat of the Canada Line project, where Cambie Street merchants claimed construction devastated their businesses. The West Broadway Business Association is already requesting compensation for any business impacts that a rapid transit project entails. The Association favours a surface rail for the project.     http://tinyurl.com/yd8x42b

Transit – Vancouver vs. Toronto

 

Globe and Mail reporters compare how riders are treated on the Vancouver and Toronto transit systems. An anecdotal and unscientific comparison.  http://tinyurl.com/y9szg6p

So Long Streetcars

Second last day of service

March 21 was the last day for the Olympic line street. When Transport Action BC set up a booth at the March 14 train show in Burnaby, the streetcar was the most commented on topic. Everybody had positive things to say about it. We hope a way can be found for this service to continue. There will be more info about the streetcar in the next issue of the Western Newsletter which is coming out soon.

To get a copy of newsletter, join Transport Action. We have a special introductory rate of $20 per year. Details are on our website: www.transport-action.ca There is a link to our BC organisation. The next issue of the national newsletter Transport Action will have an article comparing the Canada Line and the LRT in Edmonton, in particular P3 and in house construction.

Many articles are appearing in the media regarding the streetcar. Here are a few.

Why Vancouver city hall should hop on this streetcar

Let’s at least find out if private capital shares the travelling public’s Winter Games enthusiasm for the scheme

By Bob Ransford, Special to the SunMarch 20, 2010

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Vancouver+city+hall+should+this+streetcar/2706753/story.html

More stories about the streetcar:

Stephen Rees’s Blog -Vancouver says goodbye to Olympic streetcar

Buzzer Blog – Last Chance to Ride Olympic Line